Hearts create 'scary' thought for pundit as two stars catch his eye amid league table prediction
A pundit has reflected on a hectic six months at Tynecastle.
Alan Hutton believes the ‘only way is up’ for Hearts this season as he senses another top of the table tilt could be on.
After Derek McInnes took the Jambos all the way in last season’s title race, Hutton was concerned for Hearts when he was appointed Rangers boss in the summer. However, he now believes under the stewardship of head coach Wouter Vrancken that the Tynecastle club can outdo themselves. So far, the Belgian has led the Jambos to European football and a Premier Sports Cup Cup semi-final, after just a few months in charge.
The former Scotland defender said: "I've enjoyed watching Hearts. I think it was a slow start but that being said it was a really difficult run in terms of Europe but towards the end of that I think they showed character, togetherness and quality, really, that they can go on and really do something this season.
Why was Hutton scared for Hearts at the start of the season?
“Them getting in Europe I thought was brilliant. After the Benfica game away from home you're wondering if that is going to hamper them moving forward but that's where the character comes into it. You bounce back. I feel I've seen enough of them that they'll be up there and there'll be a real threat towards Rangers and Celtic.”
When asked if he thinks Hearts perhaps have a higher ceiling under Vrancken than they did McInnes, he responded: “I think so, I think so and that's probably a scary thought in terms of what they've done last season moving into this season.
“I think the Jamestown Analytics and everything, the guys that they've brought in, they very rarely miss.”
Why have Mato and Williams impressed Hutton so far?
Players like forward Rogers Mato has been given more of a chance under the new gaffer and has surprised Hutton with his lightning speed. The Ugandan made his Hearts move permanent in the summer after struggling during in the second half of last season on loan from FK Vardar. Fellow striker JJ Williams has also impressed the pundit since arriving from Rhode Island FC last month.
Both Mato and Williams found the target in Hearts’ League Cup quarter final at Stenhousemuir earlier this month. While this hasn’t been enough to see them selected ahead of the likes of attacking mainstays Claudio Braga, Josh McPake and James Wilson, Hutton is keeping an eye on the duo going forward.
He continued: “Watching the Stenhousemuir game and you've got the likes of Rogers Mato come in, I mean I genuinely didn't realise he was that quick. I didn't know he had those kind of attributes until I actually watched him properly in a game. I know he's not had probably the game time that he wants and then JJ Williams comes in, looks good, different profile of player from say James Wilson. I think they're looking really good.
“The way Wouter Vrancken wants to play as well, it's that aggressive front foot, creating opportunities, getting the ball into wide areas, exciting teams so I think they have got a high ceiling. I mean it's going to be really interesting over the next couple of seasons because I think they're building off good foundations which was last season so it looks like the only way for them is up."
Alan Hutton was speaking on behalf of NetBet Sport | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly
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